Exchange for trading radio frequency usage rights

ABSTRACT

According to various embodiments, systems and methods are provided for enabling parties to create, define, buy, and sell usage rights in radio frequency (RF) ranges, e.g., via a computerized trading exchange. The usage rights may comprise exclusive or shared ownership or lease interests. A government or other entity may initially offer on the exchange usage rights in radio frequencies owned or controlled by the government. The usage rights may be sold to market participants, e.g., through a competitive bidding process such as a reverse auction, Dutch auction, RFQ, or other methodology. Such rights may be transferred subject to government use, e.g., in emergency situations. Information associated with offered RF usage rights such as historical usage data, geographical reach, and available RF equipment may be published on the exchange. The exchange may also enable secondary trading of usage rights.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/971,810 filed on Aug. 20, 2013 which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/691,249 filed Aug. 20, 2012, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Radio frequency users such as commercial telecommunication providerstypically use radio frequencies that the government has designated to beavailable for public and commercial use. A large range of the radiofrequency spectrum usable for communications is reserved for use by thegovernment. See, e.g.,http://www.ntia.doc.gov/page/2011/united-states-frequency-allocation-chart.Additional background materials are available in the “Report to thePresident Realizing the Full Potential of Government-Held Spectrum toSpur Economic Growth” from the Executive Office of thePresident/President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technologydated July 2012, available athttp://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/pcast_spectrum_report_final_july_20_2012.pdf.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods that enableparties to buy and sell usage rights in one or more radio frequencyranges. Such usage rights may comprise an exclusive or shared ownershipinterest in whole or in part, lease interest in whole or in part, orother interest. In some embodiments, a system may provide a computerizedtrading exchange where participants such as individual users, commercialusers, telecommunications providers, government entities, and otherentities may create, buy, and sell usage rights in radio frequencies. Insome embodiments, an entity such as a government entity may initiallyoffer on the exchange usage rights in radio frequencies owned orcontrolled by the government or another entity. Such rights may besubject to rights such as preemptive rights held by one or moregovernment entities, e.g., for exclusive government use in emergencysituations. Information relevant to the offered radio frequency rightsmay be published on the exchange, such as historical usage data,geographical reach, and available RF equipment. The usage rights may besold to market participants, e.g., through a competitive bidding processsuch as a reverse auction, Dutch auction, RFQ, or other methodology. Theexchange may also enable secondary trading of usage rights. Informationrelevant to the usage rights may be published on the exchange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary flow diagram according to at least oneembodiment of the systems and methods disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary data flow diagram according to at least oneembodiment of the systems and methods disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary system diagram according to at least oneembodiment of the systems and methods disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary database diagram according to at least oneembodiment of the systems and methods disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary data publication diagram according to atleast one embodiment of the systems and methods disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following sections I-X provide a guide to interpreting the presentapplication.

I. Terms

The term “product” means a machine, manufacture and/or composition ofmatter, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term “process” means a process, algorithm, method or the like,unless expressly specified otherwise.

Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or otherwise)inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all references to a“step” or “steps” of a process have an inherent antecedent basis in themere description of a process, or in the mere recitation of the term‘process’ or a like term. Accordingly, any reference in a claim to a‘step’ or ‘steps’ of a process has sufficient antecedent basis.

The term “invention” and the like mean “the one or more inventionsdisclosed in this application”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “theembodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “someembodiments”, “certain embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “anotherembodiment” and the like mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments ofthe invention”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term “variation” of an invention means an embodiment of theinvention, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term “indication” is used in an extremely broad sense. An“indication” of a thing should be understood to include anything thatmay be used to determine the thing.

An indication of a thing may include an electronic message thatidentifies the thing (e.g., an identification of a widget by a serialnumber affixed to the widget, an identification of a widget by one ormore characteristics of the widget). An indication of a thing mayinclude information that may be used to compute and/or look-up a thing(e.g., information identifying a machine of which a widget is a partthat may be used to determine the widget). An indication of a thing mayspecify things that are related to the thing (e.g., characteristics ofthe thing, a name of the thing, a name of a thing related to the thing).An indication of a thing may not specify things that are related to thething (e.g., a letter “a” may be an indication of a widget of a computersystem that is configured to interpret the letter “a” to identify thewidget). An indication of a thing may include a sign, a symptom, and/ora token of the thing. An indication, for example, may include a code, areference, an example, a link, a signal, and/or an identifier. Anindication of a thing may include information that represents,describes, and/or otherwise is associated with the thing.

A transformation of an indication of a thing may be an indication of thething (e.g., an encrypted indication of a thing may be an indication ofthe thing). An indication of a thing may include the thing itself, acopy of the thing, and/or a portion of the thing. An indication of athing may be meaningless to a thing that is not configured to understandthe indication (e.g., a person may not understand that a letter “a”indicates a widget but it may nonetheless be an indication of the widgetbecause the computer system may determine the widget from the letter“a”). It should be understood that the fact that an indication of athing may be used to determine the thing does not mean that the thing oranything else is determined. An indication of a thing may include anindication of any number of the thing unless specified otherwise. Anindication of a thing may include an indication of other things (e.g.,an electronic message that indicates may things). (Indication can beused as a very broad term in claim language. For example: receiving anindication of a financial instrument.)

The term “represent” means (1) to serve to express, designate, standfor, or denote, as a word, symbol, or the like does; (2) to express ordesignate by some term, character, symbol, or the like; (3) to portrayor depict or present the likeness of, as a picture does; or (4) to serveas a sign or symbol of.

A reference to “another embodiment” in describing an embodiment does notimply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with anotherembodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referencedembodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise. Similarly, the merefact that two (or more) embodiments are referenced does not imply thatthose embodiments are mutually exclusive.

One embodiment of the invention may include or cover or embrace morethan one other embodiment of the invention. For example, a firstembodiment comprising elements a, b, and c may cover a second embodimentthat comprises elements a, b, c, and d as well as a third embodimentcovering elements a, b, c, and e. Similarly, each of the first, second,and third embodiments may cover a fourth embodiment comprising elementsa, b, c, d, and e.

The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof mean“including but not necessarily limited to”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. Thus, for example, the sentence “the machine includes a redwidget and a blue widget” means the machine includes the red widget andthe blue widget, but may possibly include one or more other items aswell.

The term “consisting of” and variations thereof mean “including and alsolimited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise. Thus, for example,the sentence “the machine consists of a red widget and a blue widget”means the machine includes the red widget and the blue widget, but doesnot include anything else.

The term “compose” and variations thereof mean “to make up theconstituent parts of, component of or member of”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. Thus, for example, the sentence “the red widget andthe blue widget compose a machine” means the machine includes the redwidget and the blue widget.

The term “exclusively compose” and variations thereof mean “to make upexclusively the constituent parts of, to be the only components of, orto be the only members of”, unless expressly specified otherwise. Thus,for example, the sentence “the red widget and the blue widgetexclusively compose a machine” means the machine consists of the redwidget and the blue widget (i.e. and nothing else).

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” refer to “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. Thus, for example, the phrase “a widget” means oneor more widgets, unless expressly specified otherwise. Similarly, afterreciting the phrase “a widget”, a subsequent recitation of the phrase“the widget” means “the one or more widgets”. Accordingly, it should beunderstood that the word “the” may also refer to a specific term havingantecedent basis. For example, if a paragraph mentions “a specificsingle feature” and then refers to “the feature,” then the phrase “thefeature” should be understood to refer to the previously mentioned “aspecific single feature.” (It should be understood that the term “a” in“a specific single feature” refers to “one” specific single feature andnot “one or more” specific single features.)

The term “plurality” means “two or more”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The term “herein” means “in the present application, including anythingwhich may be incorporated by reference”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The phrase “at least one of”, when such phrase modifies a plurality ofthings (such as an enumerated list of things), means any combination ofone or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. Forexample, the phrase “at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel” meanseither (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car,(v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, acar and a wheel. The phrase “at least one of”, when such phrase modifiesa plurality of things does not mean “one of” each of the plurality ofthings. For example, the phrase “at least one of a widget, a car and awheel” does not mean “one widget, one car and one wheel”.

Numerical terms such as “one”, “two”, etc. when used as cardinal numbersto indicate quantity of something (e.g., one widget, two widgets), meanthe quantity indicated by that numerical term, but do not mean at leastthe quantity indicated by that numerical term. For example, the phrase“one widget” does not mean “at least one widget”, and therefore thephrase “one widget” does not cover, e.g., two widgets.

The phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “based on” covers both“based only on” and “based at least on”. The phrase “based at least on”is equivalent to the phrase “based at least in part on”. For example,the phrase “element A is calculated based on element B and element C”covers embodiments where element A is calculated as the product of Btimes C (in other words, A=B×C), embodiments where A is calculated asthe sum of B plus C (in other words, A=B+C), embodiments where A iscalculated as a product of B times C times D, embodiments where A iscalculated as a sum of the square root of B plus C plus D times E, andso on.

The term “represent” and like terms are not exclusive, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. For example, the term “represents” does not mean“represents only”, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example,the phrase “the data represents a credit card number” covers both “thedata represents only a credit card number” and “the data represents acredit card number and the data also represents something else”.

The term “whereby” is used herein only to precede a clause or other setof words that express only the intended result, objective or consequenceof something that is explicitly recited before the term “whereby”. Thus,when the term “whereby” is used in a claim, the clause or other wordsthat the term “whereby” modifies do not establish specific furtherlimitations of the claim or otherwise restrict the meaning or scope ofthe claim.

The terms “e.g”, “such as” and like terms mean “for example”, and thusdo not limit the term or phrase they explain. For example, in thesentence “the computer sends data (e.g., instructions, a data structure)over the Internet”, the term “e.g.” explains that “instructions” are anexample of “data” that the computer may send over the Internet, and alsoexplains that “a data structure” is an example of “data” that thecomputer may send over the Internet. However, both “instructions” and “adata structure” are merely examples of “data”, and other things besides“instructions” and “a data structure” can be “data”.

The term “respective” and like terms mean “taken individually”. Thus iftwo or more things have “respective” characteristics, then each suchthing has its own characteristic, and these characteristics can bedifferent from each other but need not be. For example, the phrase “eachof two machines has a respective function” means that the first of thetwo machines has a function and the second of the two machines has afunction as well. The function of the first machine may or may not bethe same as the function of the second machine.

The term “i.e.” and like terms mean “that is”, and thus limits the termor phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence “the computer sendsdata (i.e., instructions) over the Internet”, the term “i.e.” explainsthat “instructions” are the “data” that the computer sends over theInternet.

A numerical range includes integers and non-integers in the range,unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the range “1 to 10”includes the integers from 1 to 10 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, . . . 9, 10) andnon-integers (e.g., 1.0031415926, 1.1, 1.2, . . . 1.9).

Where two or more terms or phrases are synonymous (e.g., because of anexplicit statement that the terms or phrases are synonymous), instancesof one such term or phrase does not mean instances of another such termor phrase must have a different meaning. For example, where a statementrenders the meaning of “including” to be synonymous with “including butnot limited to”, the mere usage of the phrase “including but not limitedto” does not mean that the term “including” means something other than“including but not limited to”.

II. Determining

The term “determining” and grammatical variants thereof (e.g., todetermine a price, determining a value, the determination of an objectwhich meets a certain criterion) is used in an extremely broad sense.The term “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions andtherefore “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing,deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, adatabase or another data structure), rendering into electronic format ordigital representation, ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining”can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g.,accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, “determining” caninclude resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

The term “determining” does not imply certainty or absolute precision,and therefore “determining” can include estimating, extrapolating,predicting, guessing, averaging and the like.

The term “determining” does not imply that mathematical processing mustbe performed, and does not imply that numerical methods must be used,and does not imply that an algorithm is used.

The term “determining” does not imply that any particular device must beused. For example, a computer need not necessarily perform thedetermining.

The term “determining” may include “calculating”. The term “calculating”should be understood to include performing one or more calculations.Calculating may include computing, processing, and/or deriving.Calculating may be performed by a computing device. For example,calculating a thing may include applying an algorithm to data by acomputer processor and generating the thing as an output of theprocessor.

The term “determining” may include “referencing”. The term “referencing”should be understood to include making one or more reference, e.g., to athing. Referencing may include querying, accessing, selecting, choosing,reading, and/or looking-up. The act of referencing may be performed by acomputing device. For example, referencing a thing may include reading amemory location in which the thing is stored by a processor.

The term “determining” may include “receiving”. For example, receiving athing may include taking in the thing. In some embodiments, receivingmay include acts performed to take in a thing, such as operating anetwork interface through which the thing is taken in. In someembodiments, receiving may be performed without acts performed to takein the thing, such as in a direct memory write or a hard wired circuit.Receiving a thing may include receiving a thing from a remote sourcethat may have calculated the thing.

III. Forms of Sentences

Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a feature as wellas more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation such as “at least onewidget” covers one widget as well as more than one widget), and where ina second claim that depends on the first claim, the second claim uses adefinite article “the” to refer to that limitation (e.g., “the widget”),this mere usage does not imply that the first claim covers only one ofthe feature, and this does not imply that the second claim covers onlyone of the feature (e.g., “the widget” can cover both one widget andmore than one widget).

When an ordinal number (such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on) isused as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unlessexpressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature,such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature thatis described by the same term or by a similar term, but that ordinalnumber does not have any other meaning or limiting effect—it is merely aconvenient name. For example, a “first widget” may be so named merely todistinguish it from, e.g., a “second widget”. Thus, the mere usage ofthe ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” doesnot indicate any other relationship between the two widgets, andlikewise does not indicate any other characteristics of either or bothwidgets. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and“second” before the term “widget” (1) does not indicate that eitherwidget comes before or after any other in order or location; (2) doesnot indicate that either widget occurs or acts before or after any otherin time; and (3) does not indicate that either widget ranks above orbelow any other, as in importance or quality. The mere usage of ordinalnumbers does not define a numerical limit to the features identifiedwith the ordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of the ordinalnumbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicatethat there are exactly two widgets.

When a single device, article or other product is described herein, inanother embodiment more than one device or article (whether or not theycooperate) may alternatively be used in place of the single device orarticle that is described. Accordingly, the functionality that isdescribed as being possessed by a device may alternatively be possessedby more than one device or article (whether or not they cooperate) inanother embodiment.

Similarly, where more than one device, article or other product isdescribed herein (whether or not they cooperate), in another embodimenta single device or article may alternatively be used in place of themore than one device or article that is described. For example, aplurality of computer-based devices may be substituted with a singlecomputer-based device. In some embodiments, such a plurality ofcomputer-based devices may operate together to perform one step of aprocess such as is common in grid computing systems. In someembodiments, such a plurality of computer-based devices may operateprovide added functionality to one another so that the plurality mayoperate to perform one step of a process such as is common in cloudcomputing systems. (Conversely, a single computer-based device may besubstituted with multiple computer-based devices operating incooperation with one another. For example, a single computing device maybe substituted with a server and a workstation in communication with oneanother over the internet) Accordingly, the various functionality thatis described as being possessed by more than one device or article mayalternatively be possessed by a single device or article.

The functionality and/or the features of a single device that isdescribed may, in another embodiment, be alternatively embodied by oneor more other devices which are described but are not explicitlydescribed as having such functionality or features. Thus, otherembodiments need not include the described device itself, but rather caninclude the one or more other devices which would, in those otherembodiments, have such functionality or features.

IV. Disclosed Examples and Terminology are not Limiting

Neither the Title (set forth at the beginning of the first page of thepresent application) nor the Abstract (set forth at the end of thepresent application) is to be taken as limiting in any way the scope ofthe disclosed invention, is to be used in interpreting the meaning ofany claim or is to be used in limiting the scope of any claim. AnAbstract has been included in this application merely because anAbstract is required under 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b).

The headings of sections provided in the present application are forconvenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure inany way.

Numerous embodiments are described in the present application, and arepresented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments arenot, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The disclosedinvention is widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readilyapparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the disclosed invention may be practiced with variousmodifications and alterations, such as structural, logical, software,and electrical modifications. Although particular features of thedisclosed invention may be described with reference to one or moreparticular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood thatsuch features are not limited to usage in the one or more particularembodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described,unless expressly specified otherwise.

Though an embodiment may be disclosed as including several features,other embodiments of the invention may include fewer than all suchfeatures. Thus, for example, a claim may be directed to less than theentire set of features in a disclosed embodiment, and such claim wouldnot be interpreted as requiring features beyond those features that theclaim expressly recites.

No embodiment of method steps or product elements described in thepresent application constitutes the invention claimed herein, or isessential to the invention claimed herein, or is coextensive with theinvention claimed herein, except where it is either expressly stated tobe so in this specification or (with respect to a claim and theinvention defined by that claim) expressly recited in that claim.

Any preambles of the claims that recite anything other than a statutoryclass shall be interpreted to recite purposes, benefits and possibleuses of the claimed invention, and such preambles shall not be construedto limit the claimed invention.

The present disclosure is not a literal description of all embodimentsof the invention. Also, the present disclosure is not a listing offeatures of the invention which must be present in all embodiments.

All disclosed embodiments are not necessarily covered by the claims(even including all pending, amended, issued and canceled claims). Inaddition, a disclosed embodiment may be (but need not necessarily be)covered by several claims. Accordingly, where a claim (regardless ofwhether pending, amended, issued or canceled) is directed to aparticular embodiment, such is not evidence that the scope of otherclaims do not also cover that embodiment.

Devices that are described as in communication with each other need notbe in continuous communication with each other, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit toeach other as necessary or desirable, and may actually refrain fromexchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine incommunication with another machine via the Internet may not transmitdata to the other machine for long period of time (e.g. weeks at atime). In addition, devices that are in communication with each othermay communicate directly or indirectly through one or moreintermediaries. Devices are in communication with one another if theyare capable of at least one-way communication with one another. Forexample, a first device is in communication with a second device if thefirst device is capable of transmitting information to the seconddevice. Similarly, the second device is in communication with the firstdevice if the second device is capable of receiving information from thefirst device.

A description of an embodiment with several components or features doesnot imply that all or even any of such components or features arerequired. On the contrary, a variety of optional components aredescribed to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of thepresent invention. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no componentor feature is essential or required.

Although process steps, algorithms or the like may be described orclaimed in a particular sequential order, such processes may beconfigured to work in different orders. In other words, any sequence ororder of steps that may be explicitly described or claimed does notnecessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in thatorder. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in anyorder possible. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneouslydespite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously(e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover,the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does notimply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations andmodifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process orany of its steps are necessary to the invention, and does not imply thatthe illustrated process is preferred.

Although a process may be described as including a plurality of steps,that does not imply that all or any of the steps are preferred,essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of thedescribed invention include other processes that omit some or all of thedescribed steps. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no step isessential or required.

Although a process may be described singly or without reference to otherproducts or methods, in an embodiment the process may interact withother products or methods. For example, such interaction may includelinking one business model to another business model. Such interactionmay be provided to enhance the flexibility or desirability of theprocess.

Although a product may be described as including a plurality ofcomponents, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features, thatdoes not indicate that any or all of the plurality are preferred,essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of thedescribed invention include other products that omit some or all of thedescribed plurality.

An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does notimply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unlessexpressly specified otherwise. Likewise, an enumerated list of items(which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of theitems are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. For example, the enumerated list “a computer, a laptop, and aPDA” does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list aremutually exclusive and does not imply that any or all of the three itemsof that list are comprehensive of any category.

An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does notimply that any or all of the items are equivalent to each other orreadily substituted for each other.

All embodiments are illustrative, and do not imply that the invention orany embodiments were made or performed, as the case may be.

V. Computing

It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that thevarious processes described herein may be implemented by, e.g.,appropriately programmed general purpose computers, special purposecomputers and computing devices. Typically a processor (e.g., one ormore microprocessors, one or more microcontrollers, one or more digitalsignal processors) will receive instructions (e.g., from a memory orlike device), and execute those instructions, thereby performing one ormore processes defined by those instructions. Instructions may beembodied in, e.g., one or more computer programs, one or more scripts.

The term “compute” shall mean to determine using a processor inaccordance with a software algorithm.

A “processor” means one or more microprocessors, central processingunits (CPUs), computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signalprocessors, graphics processing units (GPUs) or like devices or anycombination thereof, regardless of the architecture (e.g., chip-levelmultiprocessing or multi-core, RISC, CISC, Microprocessor withoutInterlocked Pipeline Stages, pipelining configuration, simultaneousmultithreading, microprocessor with integrated graphics processing unit,GPGPU).

A “computing device” means one or more microprocessors, centralprocessing units (CPUs), computing devices, microcontrollers, digitalsignal processors, graphics card, mobile gaming device, or like devicesor any combination thereof, regardless of the architecture (e.g.,chip-level multiprocessing or multi-core, RISC, CISC, Microprocessorwithout Interlocked Pipeline Stages, pipelining configuration,simultaneous multithreading).

Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of anapparatus for performing the process. The apparatus that performs theprocess can include, e.g., a processor and those input devices andoutput devices that are appropriate to perform the process. For example,a description of a process is a description of an apparatus comprising aprocessor and memory that stores a program comprising instructions that,when executed by the processor, direct the processor to perform themethod.

The apparatus that performs the process can include a plurality ofcomputing devices that work together to perform the process. Some of thecomputing devices may work together to perform each step of a process,may work on separate steps of a process, may provide underlying servicesthat other computing devices that may facilitate the performance of theprocess. Such computing devices may act under instruction of acentralized authority. In another embodiment, such computing devices mayact without instruction of a centralized authority. Some examples ofapparatus that may operate in some or all of these ways may include gridcomputer systems, cloud computer systems, peer-to-peer computer systems,computer systems configured to provide software as a service, and so on.For example, the apparatus may comprise a computer system that executesthe bulk of its processing load on a remote server but outputs displayinformation to and receives user input information from a local usercomputer, such as a computer system that executes VMware software.

Further, programs that implement such methods (as well as other types ofdata) may be stored and transmitted using a variety of media (e.g.,computer readable media) in a number of manners. In some embodiments,hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used in place of, or incombination with, some or all of the software instructions that canimplement the processes of various embodiments. Thus, variouscombinations of hardware and software may be used instead of softwareonly.

The term “computer-readable medium” refers to any non-transitory medium,a plurality of the same, or a combination of different media, thatparticipate in providing data (e.g., instructions, data structures)which may be read by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such amedium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatilemedia, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile mediainclude, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistentmemory. Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM),which typically constitutes the main memory. Transmission media includecoaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires thatcomprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media mayinclude or convey acoustic waves, light waves and electromagneticemissions, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) andinfrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readablemedia include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any otheroptical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium withpatterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any othermemory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, orany other medium from which a computer can read.

The term “tangible computer-readable medium” refers to a“computer-readable medium” that comprises a hardware component, such asoptical or magnetic disks.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carryingdata (e.g. sequences of instructions) to a processor. For example, datamay be (i) delivered from RAM to a processor; (ii) carried over awireless transmission medium; (iii) formatted and/or transmittedaccording to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such as Ethernet(or IEEE 802.3), wireless local area network communication defined bythe IEEE 802.11 specifications whether or not they are approved by theWiFi Alliance, SAP, ATP, Bluetooth™, and TCP/IP, TDMA, CDMA, and 3G;and/or (iv) encrypted to ensure privacy or prevent fraud in any of avariety of ways well known in the art.

The term “database” refers to any electronically-stored collection ofdata that is stored in a retrievable format.

The term “data structure” refers to a database in a hardware machinesuch as a computer.

The term “network” means a series of points or nodes interconnected bycommunication paths. For example, a network can include a plurality ofcomputers or communication devices interconnected by one or more wiredand/or wireless communication paths. Networks can interconnect withother networks and contain subnetworks.

The term “predetermined” means determined beforehand, e.g., before apresent time or a present action. For example, the phrase “displaying apredetermined value” means displaying a value that was determined beforethe act of displaying.

The term “condition” means (1) a premise upon which the fulfillment ofan agreement depends, or (2) something essential to the appearance oroccurrence of something else.

The term “transaction” means (1) an exchange or transfer of goods,services, or funds, or (2) a communicative action or activity involvingtwo parties or things that reciprocally affect or influence each other.

Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of acomputer-readable medium storing a program for performing the process.The computer-readable medium can store (in any appropriate format) thoseprogram elements which are appropriate to perform the method. Forexample, a description of a process is a description of acomputer-readable storage medium that stores a program comprisinginstructions that, when executed by a processor, direct the processor toperform the method.

Just as the description of various steps in a process does not indicatethat all the described steps are required, embodiments of an apparatusinclude a computer or computing device operable to perform some (but notnecessarily all) of the described process.

Likewise, just as the description of various steps in a process does notindicate that all the described steps are required, embodiments of acomputer-readable medium storing a program or data structure include acomputer-readable medium storing a program that, when executed, cancause a processor to perform some (but not necessarily all) of thedescribed process.

Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to thosedescribed may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structuresbesides databases may be readily employed. Any illustrations ordescriptions of any sample databases presented herein are illustrativearrangements for stored representations of information. Any number ofother arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by, e.g.,tables illustrated in drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustratedentries of the databases represent exemplary information only; one ofordinary skill in the art will understand that the number and content ofthe entries can be different from those described herein. Further,despite any depiction of the databases as tables, other formats(including relational databases, object-based models and/or distributeddatabases) could be used to store and manipulate the data typesdescribed herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a databasecan be used to implement various processes, such as the describedherein. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be storedlocally or remotely from a device which accesses data in such adatabase.

Various embodiments can be configured to work in a network environmentincluding a computer that is in communication (e.g., via acommunications network) with one or more devices. The computer maycommunicate with the devices directly or indirectly, via any wired orwireless medium (e.g. the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, atelephone line, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical communicationsline, commercial on-line service providers, bulletin board systems, asatellite communications link, a combination of any of the above). Eachof the devices may themselves comprise computers or other computingdevices, such as those based on the Intel®, Pentium®, or Centrino™,Atom™ or Core™ processor, that are adapted to communicate with thecomputer. Any number and type of devices may be in communication withthe computer.

In an embodiment, a server computer or centralized authority may not benecessary or desirable. For example, the present invention may, in anembodiment, be practiced on one or more devices without a centralauthority. In such an embodiment, any functions described herein asperformed by the server computer or data described as stored on theserver computer may instead be performed by or stored on one or moresuch devices.

Where a process is described, in an embodiment the process may operatewithout any user intervention. In another embodiment, the processincludes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or withthe assistance of a human).

As used herein, the term “encryption” refers to a process for obscuringor hiding information so that the information is not readilyunderstandable without special knowledge. The process of encryption maytransform raw information, called plaintext, into encrypted information.The encrypted information may be called ciphertext, and the algorithmfor transforming the plaintext into ciphertext may be referred to as acipher. A cipher may also be used for performing the reverse operationof converting the ciphertext back into plaintext. Examples of ciphersinclude substitution ciphers, transposition ciphers, and ciphersimplemented using rotor machines.

In various encryption methods, ciphers may require a supplementary pieceof information called a key. A key may consist, for example, of a stringof bits. A key may be used in conjunction with a cipher to encryptplaintext. A key may also be used in conjunction with a cipher todecrypt ciphertext. In a category of ciphers called symmetric keyalgorithms (e.g., private-key cryptography), the same key is used forboth encryption and decryption. The sanctity of the encryptedinformation may thus depend on the key being kept secret. Examples ofsymmetric key algorithms are DES and AES. In a category of cipherscalled asymmetric key algorithms (e.g., public-key cryptography),different keys are used for encryption and decryption. With anasymmetric key algorithm, any member of the public may use a first key(e.g., a public key) to encrypt plaintext into ciphertext. However, onlythe holder of a second key (e.g., the private key) will be able todecrypt the ciphertext back in to plaintext. An example of an asymmetrickey algorithm is the RSA algorithm.

VI. Continuing Applications

The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in the art, anenabling description of several embodiments and/or inventions. Some ofthese embodiments and/or inventions may not be claimed in the presentapplication, but may nevertheless be claimed in one or more continuingapplications that claim the benefit of priority of the presentapplication.

Applicants intend to file additional applications to pursue patents forsubject matter that has been disclosed and enabled but not claimed inthe present application.

VII. 35 U.S.C. § 112, Paragraph 6

In a claim, a limitation of the claim which includes the phrase “meansfor” or the phrase “step for” means that 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6,applies to that limitation.

In a claim, a limitation of the claim which does not include the phrase“means for” or the phrase “step for” means that 35 U.S.C. § 112,paragraph 6 does not apply to that limitation, regardless of whetherthat limitation recites a function without recitation of structure,material or acts for performing that function. For example, in a claim,the mere use of the phrase “step of” or the phrase “steps of” inreferring to one or more steps of the claim or of another claim does notmean that 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, applies to that step(s).

With respect to a means or a step for performing a specified function inaccordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, the correspondingstructure, material or acts described in the specification, andequivalents thereof, may perform additional functions as well as thespecified function.

Computers, processors, computing devices and like products arestructures that can perform a wide variety of functions. Such productscan be operable to perform a specified function by executing one or moreprograms, such as a program stored in a memory device of that product orin a memory device which that product accesses. Unless expresslyspecified otherwise, such a program need not be based on any particularalgorithm, such as any particular algorithm that might be disclosed inthe present application. It is well known to one of ordinary skill inthe art that a specified function may be implemented via differentalgorithms, and any of a number of different algorithms would be a meredesign choice for carrying out the specified function.

Therefore, with respect to a means or a step for performing a specifiedfunction in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, structurecorresponding to a specified function includes any product programmed toperform the specified function. Such structure includes programmedproducts which perform the function, regardless of whether such productis programmed with (i) a disclosed algorithm for performing thefunction, (ii) an algorithm that is similar to a disclosed algorithm, or(iii) a different algorithm for performing the function.

Where there is recited a means for performing a function that is amethod, one structure for performing this method includes a computingdevice (e.g., a general purpose computer) that is programmed and/orconfigured with appropriate hardware to perform that function.

Also included is a computing device (e.g., a general purpose computer)that is programmed and/or configured with appropriate hardware toperform that function via other algorithms as would be understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art.

VIII. Disclaimer

Numerous references to a particular embodiment do not indicate adisclaimer or disavowal of additional, different embodiments, andsimilarly references to the description of embodiments which all includea particular feature do not indicate a disclaimer or disavowal ofembodiments which do not include that particular feature. A cleardisclaimer or disavowal in the present application will be prefaced bythe phrase “does not include” or by the phrase “cannot perform”.

IX. Incorporation By Reference

Any patent, patent application or other document referred to herein isincorporated by reference into this patent application as part of thepresent disclosure, but only for purposes of written description andenablement in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 1, and shouldin no way be used to limit, define, or otherwise construe any term ofthe present application, unless without such incorporation by reference,no ordinary meaning would have been ascertainable by a person ofordinary skill in the art. Such person of ordinary skill in the art neednot have been in any way limited by any embodiments provided in thereference. Conversely, the definitions provided in this applicationshould not be used to limit, define, or otherwise construe any term ofany document incorporated herein by reference. The definitions set forthexplicitly in this application are controlling notwithstanding thedescription of particular embodiments that may be incompatible with thedefinition(s).

Any incorporation by reference does not, in and of itself, imply anyendorsement of, ratification of or acquiescence in any statements,opinions, arguments or characterizations contained in any incorporatedpatent, patent application or other document, unless explicitlyspecified otherwise in this patent application.

X. Prosecution History

In interpreting the present application (which includes the claims), oneof ordinary skill in the art refers to the prosecution history of thepresent application, but not to the prosecution history of any otherpatent or patent application, regardless of whether there are otherpatent applications that are considered related to the presentapplication, and regardless of whether there are other patentapplications that share a claim of priority with the presentapplication.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

In various embodiments, a Spectrum Exchange may create a forum forsecuritizing spectrum use rights, initially offering spectrum userights, and after-market trading of spectrum use rights that ensuresfair pricing and liquidity. In some embodiments, the Spectrum Exchangemay achieve fair pricing and liquidity by publishing critical, real-timedata pertaining to use rights both at offer and in the aftermarket. Insome embodiments, the availability of such data may inform marketparticipants as to relative value of spectrum use rights. In someembodiments, the Spectrum Exchange may be responsible for ensuring thatthe data is made available on the Spectrum Exchange on a real-time basisto all market participants.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary flow diagram according to at least oneembodiment of the methods disclosed herein.

Securitization of Radio Frequency (“RF” or “Spectrum”).

Blocks 1-5 of FIG. 1 depict an exemplary method for securitizing radiofrequency usage rights.

In block 1 of FIG. 1, an entity such as the spectrum holder or exchangemay identify information relating to spectrum use rights for initialoffer on the Spectrum Exchange (“SE”). In some embodiments, all or aportion of this information may be published on the exchange, e.g., tosome or all trading participants (e.g., qualified participants). Suchinformation may include one or more of the following:

-   -   a. RF Band(s). Information about the radio frequency may be        disclosed, such as specific frequency ranges (bands) leased by        government and commercially licensed entities to third-parties.        The Spectrum Exchange may enable the sub-leasing of portions of        leased frequency ranges or rights to use proportionate capacity        of the leased frequency ranges.    -   b. Covered territory—Specific geographic areas for which        spectrum bands are leased. The Spectrum Exchange may publish        detailed data (e.g., in map and coordinate form) specifying the        geographic area over which the spectrum band is leased. The        Spectrum Exchange may enable the sub-leasing of portions of        leased geographies.    -   c. Associated equipment available to lease (i.e. towers,        antennae, microcells, multiplexers, backhaul, etc.) and        associated lease rate for such equipment. In some embodiments,        the Spectrum Exchange would publish lease rates for equipment        available for use by lessees in specific frequency ranges and        geographies. Such equipment (which includes but is not limited        to towers, fixed antennae, multiplexing and backhaul) may be        owned by the government, lessees or third-parties. By publishing        lease rates for such equipment, the Spectrum Exchange will        facilitate trading in underlying lease interests. By knowing the        cost of utilizing available equipment, spectrum lessees are        better able to accurately value spectrum leases. In the same way        that the Spectrum Exchange facilitates trading in spectrum        leases, the Spectrum Exchange facilitates trading in related        equipment leases.    -   d. Amount of bandwidth used historically (in the offered band        and covered territory) by spectrum holder offering use rights.        In some embodiments, Spectrum Lessors may be requested to (and        may be obligated to) inform the Spectrum Exchange of the amount        of time (e.g., expressed as a percentage) the specific frequency        ranges in specific geographies have been used, e.g., by the        spectrum lessor. The Exchange may publish (and may be obligated        to publish) this data in order to provide lessees with desired        information regarding the historical encumbrance of their leased        spectrum by the government or commercially licensed entity. In        some embodiments, the government and/or commercially licensed        entities may not be obligated to inform the Spectrum Exchange        why they have historically used the leased spectrum. In some        embodiments, such entities may only be requested to (or be        obligated to) inform the exchange and/or other entities how        frequently they have reserved the leased spectrum (by band and        geography) historically. In some embodiments, spectrum lessees        may use this data published by the Spectrum Exchange to        accurately price or value lease interests. In some embodiments,        constantly updated information regarding the percentage of time        leased spectrum has been reserved for priority use may have a        significant impact on the expected value to other parties of        spectrum leased for secondary use. In some embodiments, by        providing this data, the Spectrum Exchange may facilitate        trading in spectrum interests by providing lessees with        important information regarding historical, and therefore        expected, capacity available.    -   e. Amount of bandwidth offered.    -   f. Term of use rights, such as the term over which a lease is        made available. As is the case with frequency capacity and        geography (see above), lease terms can be broken down into        shorter terms to sub-lessees.    -   g. Known interference issues. In some embodiments, frequency        rights may be transferred subject to a senior right held by an        entity such as the government to use all or a portion of such        frequency. For example, the government may retain a right to        take over full usage of the frequency at any time (e.g., such as        a national emergency), e.g., and preempt any other user from        using such frequency.

In block 2, an entity such as a Spectrum holder may communicate data(e.g., such as the above data) to the Spectrum Exchange. For example, aspectrum holder may electronically convey filing data (above) to theSpectrum Exchange.

In block 3, information about a potential contract may be transmitted.For example, a draft initial offering of use rights agreement may besent to one or more entities such as a spectrum holder. The agreementmay be negotiated between relevant parties, e.g., electronically. Insome embodiments, the Spectrum Exchange and spectrum holder may agree toinitial offer price and other deal terms. In block 4, information abouta contract may be published. For example, an initial offering of userights may publish electronically on the Spectrum Exchange. In someembodiments, a consistent form may be used for inputting key data foreach initial offering made available in pre-set locations on initialoffering of use rights. For example, an electronic template may bedisplayed on an interface that can be filled out by exchangeparticipants.

FOR EXAMPLE: The United States Government (“USG”) decides to leasesecondary use rights in Dade County, Florida in the 1755-1850 MHz band.USG identifies 20 antennae and 12 associated towers and sets the leaserate for this equipment at $120,000 per annum. USG identifies thegeographic reach of each antenna and determines that 80% of DadeCounty's 2.5 mm POPs are covered by existing infrastructure. USGidentifies all backhaul equipment in the market and determines to leaseit at $25,000 per annum. USG calculates its historical use at 0.005% ofspectrum capacity at any given time without disclosing what it has usedthe capacity for. USG determines that it wishes to make the secondaryuse rights available for an initial period of two years. USG identifiesall known interference issues in the market. USG sets any additionalterms associated with the secondary use rights (for example, USG mayelect to require holders of secondary use rights to use at least aminimum amount of the RF capacity covered by the lease and force thelessee to vacate the lease if such usage threshold is not met). USGfiles all data in a standardized template with the Spectrum Exchange.Once received and reviewed by the Spectrum Exchange, USG and theSpectrum Exchange agree on an initial offer price of $20,000,000 perannum which equates to approximately $0.11 per MHz POP. Then thesecondary use rights offering is announced and terms are published onthe Spectrum Exchange.

Initial Offering of Use Rights

In block 5, an entity such as the Spectrum Exchange may conductplacement of use rights, e.g., electronically.

In some embodiments, one or more initial purchasers may enter into userights agreements (e.g., with an entity such as a government entity),e.g., administered by the Spectrum Exchange.

-   -   a. In some embodiments, use rights agreements may require        initial purchasers and their successors/assigns to report all        usage of spectrum to the Spectrum Exchange during the term of        the use rights. Spectrum use rights holders may inform (e.g.,        and may be obligated to inform) one or more other entities (such        as the Spectrum Exchange) of the volume of capacity of their        spectrum leases they use, e.g., on a rolling basis. In certain        cases, spectrum lessors (and/or exchange rules) may require that        lessees utilize a minimum amount of leased capacity. In some        embodiments, in instances in which this is made explicit in the        lease transaction and published on the Spectrum Exchange,        lessees failing to report a minimum level of usage may forfeit        their lease interest, and the Spectrum Exchange may re-offer the        foregone lease interest. In some embodiments, by publishing the        amount of capacity utilized by spectrum lessees, trading in        lease interests may be better facilitated by the Spectrum        Exchange. In some embodiments, acquirors of lease interests may        rely on the lease capacity utilization data of lessees to value        such leases or fractional interests therein. Capacity        utilization may be displayed, e.g., dynamically and in real-time        on the Spectrum Exchange, e.g., and on user interfaces of each        exchange participant.    -   b. In some embodiments, use rights agreements may require        initial purchasers and their successors/assigns to report all        improvements (i.e. towers, antennae, microcells, multiplexers,        backhaul, etc.) to the Spectrum Exchange, e.g., during the term        of the use rights. Improvements may be displayed dynamically and        in real-time on the Spectrum Exchange and/or at user display        devices.    -   c. In some embodiments, use rights agreements may require        initial purchasers and their successors/assigns to maintain        accurate records of the geography covered by their lease        agreements as well as the geography actually covered by fixed        antenna in the market. Changes to actual coverage may be        displayed dynamically and in real-time on the Spectrum Exchange        and/or at user devices.    -   d. In some embodiments, use rights agreements may require        initial purchasers and their successors/assigns to report all        known interference issues to the Spectrum Exchange, e.g., during        the term of the use rights. Interference issues (e.g., as they        occur) may be displayed, e.g., dynamically and in real-time on        the Spectrum Exchange and/or at user devices.

In some embodiments, initial purchasers may receive certificatesevidencing their ownership of use rights.

In some embodiments, the Spectrum Exchange may maintain records of allinitial purchasers.

FOR EXAMPLE: The Spectrum Exchange and USG determine to organize thisinitial offer as a time-limited auction, and announce that bids will beaccepted over a 48 hour period. All auction participants are encouragedto monitor bidding activity on relevant Spectrum Exchange pagespublished electronically. The Spectrum Exchange begins to receive bidstelephonically and on the Spectrum Exchange electronically. Initial bidsare at the offer price of $20,000,000 and are published on the SpectrumExchange. USG determines to modify the lease to include a minimum userequirement of 50% of available capacity. Subsequent bids increase to$30,000,000 per annum (or $0.16 per MHz POP) and the Spectrum Exchangeand spectrum holder agree to close bidding and complete the initialoffer. The Spectrum Exchange announces that Sprint is the initialpurchaser. Sprint enters into the use rights agreements with USG andbegins to immediately serve its customers in Dade County that havedevices operable in the 1755-1850 MHz range. Certain Sprint customers inthe region already have devices that are operable in the 1755-1850 MHzrange. Others are provided with peripheral radios (i.e. dongles) thatreceive and transmit in the 1755-1850 MHz range and can be connectedwith smartphones, tablets and computers. When an unidentified aircraftapproaches Miami a week after Sprint's initiation of operations in the1755-1850 MHz range, the Department of Defense (“DOD”) reclaims for itspriority use the 1755-1850 MHz range for a period of 2.5 hours. When DODreclaims the RF, all Sprint devices operating in the 1755-1850 MHz rangereceive a wireless electronic instruction to discontinue operation inthe range until further notice. Those devices automatically tune toalternative frequency operated by Sprint, and the customers' service isnot interrupted. After 2.5 hours, another wireless electronicinstruction is sent by DOD to all Sprint devices operating in the1755-1850 MHz range that they may resume operating in the range. DODsupplies the Spectrum Exchange with their priority use data, indicatingthat they occupied 100% of the 95 MHz channel for a period of 2.5 hoursapproximately 24 hours after the event which remains classified. TheSpectrum Exchange updates the historical priority usage reporting,shifting the trailing usage rate from 100% of the 95 MHz channel 0.005%of the time over the past three years to 0.010% of the time over thepast three years.

Aftermarket Sales of Use Rights

Block 6 depicts an exemplary method for trading radio frequency rights,e.g., in a secondary market. In block 6, an entity such as an initialpurchaser may elect to re-sell or otherwise transfer (or offer totransfer) all or a portion of spectrum use rights, e.g., via theSpectrum Exchange. For example, an entity may offer to sell all of theentity's ownership or leasehold interest in one or more RF bands (e.g.,for a particular territory(ies) for a particular time(s)).

An entity may also offer to buy or sell a portion (e.g., a fractionalportion) of what is held by the entity for one or more RF bands (e.g.,for one or more territories and times). For example, an entity may offerto buy or sell all or a portion of the entity's RF band, capacity (e.g.,for one or more specific bands), and/or territory(ies). In each case, insome embodiments the Spectrum Exchange may request and/or require suchbidder/offeror to disclose (e.g., to the exchange and/or marketparticipants) all or a portion of such data that was availableconcerning such usage rights in the primary offering of such rights (ifany).

In some embodiments, purchasers of spectrum use rights (e.g., sold in asecondary market on the exchange) may provide (and/or be requested orobligated to provide) the Spectrum Exchange with the same reporting thatinitial purchasers agreed to provide. For example, in some embodiments,use rights agreements may require initial purchasers and theirsuccessors/assigns to report all usage of spectrum to the SpectrumExchange, e.g., during the term of the use rights. In some embodiments,use rights agreements may require initial purchasers and theirsuccessors/assigns to report all improvements (i.e. towers, antennae,microcells, multiplexers, backhaul, etc.) to the Spectrum Exchange,e.g., during the term of the use rights. Use rights agreements mayrequire initial purchasers and their successors/assigns to report allknown interference issues to the Spectrum Exchange during the term ofthe use rights.

FOR EXAMPLE: After six months of operations, Sprint is usingapproximately 30% of the capacity it acquired under its secondary userights agreement. Sprint initially informed the Spectrum Exchange thatSprint was using approximately 5% of the capacity, but customer uptakeof the mobile video service plan made possible by operating in the1755-1850 MHz band has been brisk. Based on data broadly available onthe Spectrum Exchange indicating trading values for 1755-1850 MHzsecondary use rights in other geographies, Sprint determines that itcould re-sell a portion of its leased capacity at $0.25 per MHz POP perannum. Accordingly, Sprint files data with the Spectrum Exchangeindicating its offer to re-sell 60% of the capacity of its secondary userights in three equal blocks of 20% each. Bidding ensues on the SpectrumExchange. Freedompop, MetroPCS and TIAA-CREF (a financial institution)each acquire a block at the offer price. Freedompop and MetroPCS enterinto use rights agreements with Sprint and immediately begin their ownoperations in the 1755-1850 MHz bands. TIAA-CREF indicates that it isnot interested in operating their secondary use rights and will holdthem for re-sale. TIAA-CREF holds its secondary use rights for themaximum time it is able in order not to violate the minimum userequirement of the master lease agreement between Sprint and USG.TIAA-CREF then sells its secondary use rights to Cognitive Radio, Inc.Cognitive Radio, Inc. operates a nationwide mobile data networkutilizing spectrum rights it acquires through the Spectrum Exchange in avariety of bands, and lease rights it holds to serve customers in DadeCounty in the PCS band will soon expire. The Olympics are hosted inMiami. NBC wishes to lease 20% of the 1755-1850 MHz band for a two monthperiod to ensure that 3,000 staff on location in central Miami will haveadequate supply of spectrum for video-based mobile data applications.NBC publishes on the Spectrum Exchange its desire to sub-lease thiscapacity for two months in downtown Miami (a sub-region of Dade County).NBC specifies that it will not lease incumbent tower, antenna andbackhaul equipment as it will deploy a temporary/portable network ofsupporting RF infrastructure. The Spectrum Exchange conducts a ReverseAuction over a 3 hour period to fill NBC's bid. Each of the incumbentsecondary use right holders (Sprint, Freedompop MetroPCS and CognitiveRadio, Inc.) initially offer a small portion of their capacity at highprices. Through successive bidding, NBC attains two sub-leases (one fromCognitive Radio Inc. and the other from Freedompop) for 10% of the1755-1850 MHz band at a price per MHz POP of $0.40.

In addition, NBC calculates the expected path-loss associated with itslease of secondary use rights using the Spectrum Exchange's electronicsystem. Spectrum Exchange, using its database of information on spectrumownership and operation by specific geography that it maintains as wellas similar complimentary data maintained by others, is able to calculateexpected path-losses given spectrum being activated at specific powerlevels and in specific geographies given current configurations. NBC isable to estimate the validity of Spectrum Exchange path-loss estimatesas Spectrum Exchange publishes all known interference issues. To theextent that interference issues arise that Spectrum Exchange did notidentify prior to changes to spectrum utilization in a specificgeography, such error is published on the Spectrum Exchange. Primary andsecondary use rights holders are incentivized to report interferenceissues in such a way as to provide a check against the efficacy ofSpectrum Exchange's database and associated algorithms. This system ofvirtual path-loss estimate backed up by accuracy rate data enables NBCto more confidently bid for its leased use rights.

It should be appreciated that various exemplary methods of the presentapplication may include some or all of the actions described in FIG. 1,and they need not be performed in exactly the order described, butrather may be performed in any order consistent with this application asdescribed herein.

Spectrum Exchange's Real-Time Information Publishing

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary data flow diagram according to at least oneembodiment of the systems and methods disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, for each spectrum use right offered via theSpectrum Exchange, the Spectrum Exchange may maintain a real-time reportof all pertinent spectrum use right information provided by spectrumholders and purchasers. Such report information may comprise informationabout RF Band(s), covered territory, associated equipment available tolease (i.e. towers, antennae, microcells, multiplexers, backhaul, etc.),amount of bandwidth used (in the offered band and covered territory)historically by spectrum holder offering use rights (and/or any otherentities using such spectrum), amount of bandwidth offered, term of userights, known interference issues, and other information related to suchrights or relevant to the exchange of such rights.

In some embodiments, the Spectrum Exchange may publish informationregarding one or more prices at which: 1) holders acquired spectrum userights; 2) holders would be willing to sell spectrum use rights; and 3)prospective acquirers would be willing to acquire spectrum use rights.In some embodiments, holders and prospective acquirers of spectrum userights may submit offers and bids electronically through the SpectrumExchange. Such offers and bids may be made anonymously orsemi-anonymously, such that various pieces of information about theparty submitting a bid or offer may not be disclosed to one or moreusers on the exchange. For example, the identity of the party submittingthe bid or offer may not be disclosed to other market participants (oronly to specific market participants, e.g., of a specific typedesignated by the party submitting the bid or offer). For example, thebidder or offeror may specify criteria concerning what types ofinformation about the bidder/offeror should be disclosed (e.g., and whenit should be disclosed) to other participants in the exchange.

In some embodiments, the Spectrum Exchange may receive bids and offersfor frequency usage rights. Bids, offers, execution prices, quantities,and other market data may be published at the Exchange and/or at userdevices. The exchange may match bids and offers (e.g., in time and pricepriority) and facilitate the exchange of certificates of ownershipbetween holders and acquirers of such rights. In some embodiments, theSpectrum Exchange may maintain a record of all holders and acquirers ofspectrum use rights.

In some embodiments, the spectrum exchange and participant users mayinput, receive, transmit, display, match, execute, and otherwise manageorders using software similar or identical to that used for tradingsecurities. For example, trading software and systems that may be usedin various embodiments may include the eSpeed GUI of BGC Partners, Inc.,the eSpeedometer module, BGC Pro, or Trading Technologies “X-Trader”interface, for example. For example, RF usage interests may be traded byhitting bids and lifting offers. In some embodiments, futures contractson usage rights may also be created, offered, and traded on an exchange.

Additional Features

In some embodiments, a dongle may be used as a receiver and/ortransmitter to access one or more frequencies, such as frequencies nottypically accessible from various commercial phones and computers. Thedongle may be licensed by an entity such as a holder of frequency rightsin one or more frequencies accessible via the dongle (or an entityassociated with such holder, such as a sublicense). Users may pay usagefees for using the dongle, e.g., for use (e.g., limited or unlimited usesuch as unlimited data over the internet using such frequency/ies).

In some embodiments, the exchange or an entity associated therewith maymonitor usage of one or more frequencies, such as frequencies traded viathe exchange and/or frequencies used or operated by the exchange or oneor more participants on the exchange. Usage data may be monitored andused, such as websites visited and videos downloaded. User and usagedata could be mined, e.g., in a manner similar to how ISPs and searchengine providers monitor and use such data. For example, it may bedetermined that a specific user or user type is likely to visit aspecific website or type of website. Targeted ads may be displayed tosuch users.

In some embodiments, usage of one or more specific frequencies may besubject to one or more restrictions. For example, an original holder(such as the government) may require that frequency usage be provided(e.g., only) on qualified user devices. In some embodiments, qualifieduser devices may be required to monitor a control signal (e.g., at aspecific “control” frequency that may be within or outside a licensedrange). The control signal may provide permission information thatspecifies when users may or may not use the relevant frequency. Forexample, user devices may use the frequency whenever the control signalbroadcasts an “all clear” message. When the control signal indicates a“no access” signal (e.g., during a national emergency), the user devicesmay stop or disable access to the relevant frequency band, e.g., untilthe control signal indicates the “all clear” message. The control signalmay also broadcast scheduled interruption information, such as “no usagefrom 6-7 pm eastern”, e.g., to preempt usage from 6-7 pm for a test orother purpose. In some embodiments, restrictions may also operate at thecell tower/transmitter level, e.g., in a similar manner.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary system diagram according to at least oneembodiment of the systems and methods disclosed herein. As shown in FIG.3, at least one spectrum exchange database may communicateelectronically with at least one processor, which may communicateelectronically with one or more users and/or user computers. Usercomputers may have one or more processors and one or more input anddisplay or other interface modules.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary database diagram according to at least oneembodiment of the systems and methods disclosed herein. As shown in FIG.4, at least one spectrum exchange database may store a variety of typesof information. Such information may be tracked by the SE dynamicallyover time, and the database may be updated as information changes, e.g.,continually or in substantially real time. Some or all informationstored in the database may be transmitted and/or displayed at usercomputers.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary data publication diagram according to atleast one embodiment of the systems and methods disclosed herein. Asshown in FIG. 5, primary and secondary holder usage information may betracked and stored in the spectrum exchange database.

RF engineering features may be automated in the Spectrum Exchange. Forexample, path-loss calculations may be automated and provided and/orpublished via the SE. For example, if Carrier 1 wants spectrum rightsfor the 1755-1780 MHz band in Kansas City for high-power base stationsand Carrier 2 wants to use the same frequencies in the surroundingsuburbs and exurbs for mini-cells, automating path-loss calculations maybetter enable both carriers to value the desired spectrum and helpdetermine spacing between adjacent networks to minimize the likelihoodof co-channel interference between neighbors.

In some embodiments, the SE may use geolocation to define exclusionzones around incumbents, military bases and similar facilities. In someembodiments, geolocation database administrators may control a “killswitch” that, when actuated, causes a power down of any new entrantsthat stray into exclusion zones.

The above description is included to illustrate the operation of thepreferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of theinvention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparentto one skilled in the relevant art that would yet be encompassed by thespirit and scope of the invention. For example, while many of theembodiments are described for radio frequency usage rights, variousembodiments may be directed to systems and methods for facilitating theexchange of other trading instruments and rights, such as financialinstruments, personal property rights, real property rights,government-held rights, utility rights, and other rights and tradingproducts.

The following are exemplary embodiments. They are numbered for the sakeof clarity:

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by at least one processor, information defining a pluralityof RF usage rights, the plurality of RF usage rights comprising at least(1) a first RF usage right defining (i) at least a first geographicalarea and (ii) a first RF frequency range and (2) a second RF usage rightdefining at least (i) a second geographical area different from thefirst geographical area and (ii) a second RF frequency range differentfrom the first RF frequency range;

causing, by the at least one processor, the plurality of RF usage rightsto be offered for sale on an electronic exchange;

receiving, by the at least one processor, at least one bid to purchasethe first RF usage right from a first of a plurality of bidders on theelectronic exchange;

causing, by the at least one processor, a trade to be transacted whereinthe first RF usage right is purchased by the first bidder;

responsive to the trade, causing, by the at least one processor, anindicia of ownership of the first RF usage right to be transmitted tothe first bidder;

causing, by the at least one processor, information about the trade tobe disclosed to a plurality of participants on the electronic exchange.

2. The method of embodiment 1, in which the usage right is furtherdefined at least by a time period of use.

3. The method of any of embodiments 1-2, in which the time period of useis defined by a start time and an end time.

4. The method of any of embodiments 1-3, in which the usage right isfurther defined at least by a specified amount of use.

5. The method of embodiment 4, in which the specified amount of usecomprises a specified amount of data that can be transmitted over thefirst RF frequency range.

6. The method of any of embodiments 4 and 5, in which the specifiedamount of use comprises a specified data bandwidth.

7. The method of any of embodiments 1-6, in which the right to use theRF frequency range is subject to a preemption right by a preemptionentity.

8. The method of embodiment 7, in which the preemption entity comprisesa government entity.

9. The method of any of embodiments 7 and 8, further comprising:

receiving notification that the preemption entity is exercising itsright to preempt use of the first RF frequency range; and

responsive to receiving the notification, causing a plurality ofwireless communication devices configured to communicate via the firstRF frequency range to stop communicating via the first RF frequencyrange.

10. The method of embodiment 9, in which the act of causing a pluralityof wireless devices to stop communicating via the first RF frequencyrange comprises causing to be transmitted to the wireless communicationdevices an instruction to stop communicating via the first RF frequencyrange.

11. The method of embodiment 10, in which the instruction furthercomprises an instruction to use at least one third RF frequency rangethat does not overlap the first RF frequency range.

12. The method of any of embodiments 1-11, further comprising:

receiving a notification that the preemption entity is ceasingpreemption of the first RF frequency range;

responsive to receiving the notification that the preemption entity isceasing preemption of the first RF frequency range, causing a pluralityof wireless communication devices to enable communication via the firstRF frequency range.

13. The method of any of embodiments 1-12, further comprising:

after causing the trade to be transacted, receiving from the firstbidder an offer to sell the first RF usage rights;

receiving at least one bid to purchase the first RF usage rights; and

causing a trade to be transacted in the first RF usage rights.

14. The method of embodiment 13, further comprising causing informationabout the trade to be transmitted to the plurality of participants onthe electronic exchange.

15. The method of any of embodiments 1-14, further comprising:

prior to receiving the at least one bid, transmitting to the pluralityof participants on the electronic exchange information about aninventory of existing equipment that could be used in connection withthe first RF usage right in the first geographic area.

16. The method of any of embodiments 1-15, further comprising:

after causing the trade to be transacted, receiving from the firstbidder an offer to sell a first portion of the first RF usage rights;

receiving at least one bid to purchase the portion of the first RF usagerights; and

causing a trade to be transacted for the portion of the first RF usagerights.

17. The method of embodiment 16, further comprising:

after causing the trade to be transacted, receiving from the firstbidder an offer to sell at least one second portion of the first RFusage rights;

receiving at least one bid to purchase the at least one second portionof the first RF usage rights; and

causing at least one trade to be transacted for the at least one secondportion of the first RF usage rights.

18. The method of embodiment 16, in which the first bidder retains asecond portion of the first RF usage rights.

19. The method of any of embodiments 1-18, in which the act of causing atrade to be transacted comprises transferring ownership of the first RFusage right from a government entity to the first bidder.

20. The method of any of embodiments 1-19, in which the acts of causingthe plurality of RF usage rights to be offered for sale on theelectronic exchange and receiving at least one bid to purchase the firstRF usage right comprise conducting a reverse auction for the first RFusage rights.

21. The method of any of embodiments 1-20, in which the acts of causingthe plurality of RF usage rights to be offered for sale on theelectronic exchange and receiving at least one bid to purchase the firstRF usage right comprise conducting a Dutch auction for the first RFusage rights.

22. The method of any of embodiments 1-21, further comprising, prior tothe act of receiving at least one bid to purchase the first RF usageright, requesting a quote for the first RF usage rights.

23. The method of any of embodiments 1-22, after causing the trade to betransacted, receiving information about usage of the RF frequency rangepursuant to the first RF usage right.

24. The method of embodiment 23, further comprising:

after receiving information about the usage of the RF frequency rangepursuant to the first RF usage right, transmitting the information aboutthe usage to the plurality of participants on the electronic exchange.

25. The method of any of embodiments 1-24, further comprising:

monitoring usage of a plurality of RF frequency ranges pursuant to aplurality of associated RF usage rights;

transmitting information about the monitored usage to the plurality ofparticipants on the exchange.

26. The method of any of embodiments 1-25, further comprising:

causing to be transmitted to the plurality of participants, for each ofa plurality of RF frequency ranges, information about historicalownership of the RF frequency range, information about historical use ofthe RF frequency range, and historical prices associated with the RFfrequency range.

27. The method of embodiment 26, in which the historical pricesassociated with the RF frequency ranges comprise prices paid for usagerights associated with the RF frequency ranges.

28. The method of embodiment 26, in which the information abouthistorical ownership of the RF frequency range, information abouthistorical use of the RF frequency range, and historical pricesassociated with the RF frequency range are each associated with aspecific geographic area.

29. The method of any of embodiments 1-28, further comprising:

causing to be transmitted to the plurality of participants, for each ofa plurality of RF frequency ranges, information about interferenceassociated with the RF frequency range in a geographic area.

30. The method of embodiment any of embodiments 1-29, furthercomprising:

causing to be offered on the electronic exchange a specified amount ofbandwidth over a specified range of RF frequency ranges during aspecified period of time in a specified geographical area;

receiving a plurality of bids for the offered amount of bandwidth, theplurality of bids comprising a first bid from a first buyer;

selecting the first bid as the winning bid from among the plurality ofbids; and

transacting a trade of the amount of bandwidth between an offeror of theamount of bandwidth and the first buyer;

31. The method of embodiment 30, in which the specified range of RFfrequency ranges comprises a plurality of different RF frequency ranges,and in which the specified amount of bandwidth may be provided over anyone or more of the plurality of different RF frequency ranges during thespecified period of time.

32. The method of any of embodiments 1-31, further comprising:

causing a futures contract for an RF usage right to be offered for sale;

receiving a plurality of bids for the futures contract;

transacting a trade for the futures contract.

33. The method of any of embodiments 1-31, further comprising:

prior to receiving the first bid, causing to be transmitted to theplurality of users information about a historical primary use and acurrent secondary use associated with the first RF frequency range in ageographic area.

34. The method of embodiment 34, in which the information about thehistorical primary use comprises a percentage of available RF capacityfor the first RF frequency range.

35. The method of any of embodiments 33 and 34, in which the informationabout the current secondary use comprises a percentage of available RFcapacity for the first RF frequency range.

36. The method of any of embodiments 1-35, further comprising:

storing information about a current owner of each RF usage right tradedon the electronic exchange.

37. The method of any of embodiments 1-36, further comprising:

causing to be transmitted to the plurality of participants informationabout a current owner of each RF usage right traded on the electronicexchange.

38. The method of embodiment of embodiments 1-37, further comprising:

causing an indicia of ownership to be transmitted to each purchaser ofan RF usage right.

39. The method of any of embodiments 1-38, further comprising:

receiving a specification of an RF usage right;

causing to be created a tradable financial instrument associated withthe specification;

causing the tradable financial instrument to be offered for sale on theelectronic exchange.

40. The method of embodiment 39, further comprising:

receiving a request to conduct secondary trading on the tradablefinancial instrument;

responsive to the request, causing the tradable financial instrument tobe offered for sale on the electronic exchange.

41. A method comprising:

receiving, by at least one processor, information defining a pluralityof RF usage rights, the plurality of RF usage rights comprising at least(1) a first RF usage right defining (i) at least a first geographicalarea and (ii) a first RF frequency range and (2) a second RF usage rightdefining at least (i) a second geographical area different from thefirst geographical area and (ii) a second RF frequency range differentfrom the first RF frequency range;

causing, by the at least one processor, the plurality of RF usage rightsto be offered for sale on an electronic exchange;

receiving, by the at least one processor, at least one bid to purchasethe first RF usage right from a first of a plurality of bidders on theelectronic exchange;

causing, by the at least one processor, a trade to be transacted whereinthe first RF usage right is purchased by the first bidder;

responsive to the trade, causing, by the at least one processor, anindicia of ownership of the first RF usage right to be transmitted tothe first bidder; and

causing, by the at least one processor, information about the trade tobe disclosed to a plurality of participants on the electronic exchange,

in which the usage right is further defined at least by a time period ofuse,

in which the time period of use is defined by a start time and an endtime,

in which the usage right is further defined at least by a specifiedamount of use,

in which the specified amount of use comprises a specified amount ofdata that can be transmitted over the first RF frequency range,

in which the specified amount of use comprises a specified databandwidth,

in which the right to use the RF frequency range is subject to apreemption right by a government entity, further comprising:

receiving notification that the preemption entity is exercising itsright to preempt use of the first RF frequency range; and

responsive to receiving the notification, causing a plurality ofwireless communication devices configured to communicate via the firstRF frequency range to stop communicating via the first RF frequencyrange,

in which the act of causing a plurality of wireless devices to stopcommunicating via the first RF frequency range comprises causing to betransmitted to the wireless communication devices an instruction to stopcommunicating via the first RF frequency range, and

in which the instruction further comprises an instruction to use atleast one third RF frequency range that does not overlap the first RFfrequency range.

42. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory having instructions stored thereon which, whenexecuted, direct the at least one processor to perform the method of anyone of embodiments 1-41.

43. A tangible computer-readable medium having instructions storedthereon that are configured to cause at least one processor to performthe method of any one of embodiments 1-41.

Embodiments and features described herein may also be used with or inconjunction with features and embodiments described in: U.S. ProvisionalSer. No. 61/691,249, filed Aug. 20, 2012, entitled “Exchange for TradingRadio Frequency Usage Rights;” U.S. Ser. No. 11/361,713, filed Feb. 24,2006, entitled “System and Method for Trading Spectrum Rights;” and U.S.Ser. No. 10/913,727, filed Aug. 6, 2004, entitled “System and Method forTrading Wireless Spectrum Rights.” The disclosures of these applicationsare incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. Additionalexemplary embodiments and features that may be used with or inconjunction with the features described herein are provided inAppendices I and II, attached hereto.

XI. Alternative Technologies

It will be understood that the technologies described herein for making,using, or practicing various embodiments are but a subset of thepossible technologies that may be used for the same or similar purposes.The particular technologies described herein are not to be construed aslimiting. Rather, various embodiments contemplate alternate technologiesfor making, using, or practicing various embodiments.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the method withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. The method may include more,fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in anysuitable order without departing from the scope of the invention.

While this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodimentsand generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of theembodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does notconstrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterationsare also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure, as defined by the claims herein.

1. (canceled)
 2. A method of facilitating an electronic exchange ofradio frequency (RF) usage rights, the method comprising: controlling,by at least one processor: receiving data representing informationdefining a plurality of RF usage rights, the plurality of RF usagerights comprising at least (1) a first RF usage right defining (i) atleast a first geographical area and (ii) a first RF frequency range and(2) a second RF usage right defining at least (i) a second geographicalarea different from the first geographical area and (ii) a second RFfrequency range different from the first RF frequency range;communicating, to computing devices of respective bidders on theelectronic exchange, the data representing the plurality of RF usagerights to be offered for sale on the electronic exchange; receiving datarepresenting at least one bid to purchase the first RF usage right by afirst bidder from a first computing device of the computing devices;transacting an electronic trade in which the first RF usage right ispurchased through the first computing device; transmitting electronicindicia of ownership of the first RF usage right to the first computingdevice; providing data representing information about the electronictrade to the computing devices; receiving notification that a preemptionentity is exercising its right to preempt use of the first RF frequencyrange; responsive to receiving the notification, stopping communicationvia the first RF frequency range by a plurality of wirelesscommunication devices configured to communicate via the first RFfrequency range, in which the stopping communication via the first RFfrequency range comprises causing to be transmitted to the wirelesscommunication devices an instruction to stop communicating via the firstRF frequency range and to start communicating on another RF frequencyrange without causing disruption of communication and to continuecommunicating on the another RF frequency range until receipt of asubsequent instruction to resume communicating on the first RF frequencyrange; determining a path-loss calculation associated with RF frequencyranges of the plurality of the RF usage rights; and providing datarepresenting information about the path-loss calculation to thecomputing devices.
 3. The method of claim 2, in which a given RF usageright is defined at least by a time period of use defined by a specifiedstart time and specified end time, and in which the given RF usage rightis defined by at least a specified amount of use.
 4. The method of claim3, in which the specified amount of use comprises at least one of (1) aspecified amount of data that can be transmitted over the first RFfrequency range and (2) a specified data bandwidth.
 5. The method ofclaim 2, in which the second RF frequency range does not overlap thefirst RF frequency range.
 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:controlling, by the at least one processor: after the electronic tradeis transacted, receiving from the first computing device an offer tosell the first RF usage right; receiving from a second computing deviceat least one bid to purchase the first RF usage right; and causing anelectronic trade to be transacted in the first RF usage right.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, further comprising: controlling, by the at least oneprocessor: causing information about the electronic trade to betransmitted to the computing devices; and prior to receiving the atleast one bid, transmitting to the computing devices data representinginformation about an inventory of existing equipment that could be usedin connection with the first RF usage right in the first geographicalarea.
 8. The method of claim 2, further comprising: controlling, by theat least one processor: after causing the electronic trade to betransacted, receiving from the first computing device an offer to sell afirst portion of the first RF usage right; receiving at least one bid topurchase the first portion of the first RF usage right; and causing asecond electronic trade to be transacted for the first portion of thefirst RF usage right.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:controlling, by the at least one processor: after causing the secondelectronic trade to be transacted, receiving from the first computingdevice an offer to sell at least one second portion of the first RFusage right; receiving at least one bid to purchase the at least onesecond portion of the first RF usage right; and causing at least oneelectronic trade to be transacted for the at least one second portion ofthe first RF usage right, in which the first bidder retains a thirdportion of the first RF usage right.
 10. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising, controlling, by the at least one processor: prior toreceiving from the first computing device at least one bid to purchasethe first RF usage right, requesting a quote for the first RF usageright.
 11. The method of claim 2, further comprising: controlling, bythe at least one processor: after receiving data representinginformation about the RF usage of the RF frequency range pursuant to thefirst RF usage right, transmitting the data representing informationabout the RF usage to the computing devices; monitoring usage of aplurality of RF frequency ranges pursuant to a plurality of associatedRF usage rights; transmitting data representing information about themonitored usage to the computing devices; and causing to be transmittedto the computing devices, for each of a plurality of RF frequencyranges, data representing information about historical ownership of theRF frequency range, information about historical use of the RF frequencyrange, and historical prices associated with the RF frequency range, inwhich the historical prices associated with the RF frequency rangescomprise prices paid for usage rights associated with the RF frequencyranges, and in which the information about historical ownership of theRF frequency range, information about historical use of the RF frequencyrange, and historical prices associated with the RF frequency range areeach associated with a specific geographic area.
 12. The method of claim2, further comprising: controlling, by the at least one processor:causing to be offered on the electronic exchange rights to a specifiedamount of bandwidth over a specified range of RF frequency ranges duringa specified period of time in a specified geographical area; receiving aplurality of bids for the offered amount of bandwidth, the plurality ofbids comprising a first bid from a first buyer; selecting the first bidas a winning bid from among the plurality of bids; and transacting anelectronic trade of the amount of bandwidth between an offeror of theamount of bandwidth and the first buyer, in which the specified range ofRF frequency ranges comprises a plurality of different RF frequencyranges, and in which the specified amount of bandwidth may be providedover any one or more of the plurality of different RF frequency rangesduring the specified period of time.
 13. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising: controlling, by the at least one processor: causing afutures contract for an RF usage right to be offered for sale; receivingfrom given computing devices a plurality of bids for the futurescontract; transacting an electronic trade for the futures contract. 14.The method of claim 2, further comprising: controlling, by the at leastone processor: prior to receiving a first bid for the first RF usageright, causing to be transmitted to the computing devices datarepresenting information about a historical primary use and a currentsecondary use associated with the first RF frequency range in ageographic area, in which the information about the historical primaryuse comprises a percentage of available RF capacity for the first RFfrequency range.
 15. The method of claim 2, further comprising:controlling, by the at least one processor: receiving data representinga specification of an RF usage right; causing to be created a tradablefinancial instrument associated with the specification; and causing thetradable financial instrument to be offered for sale on the electronicexchange.
 16. The method of claim 2, further comprising: controlling, bythe at least one processor: determining usage data based on usage of atleast one RF frequency range; and determining targeted advertisementsbased on the usage data.
 17. An apparatus for facilitating an electronicexchange of RF usage rights, the apparatus comprising: at least oneprocessor of an electronic exchange; and at least one memory havinginstructions stored thereon which, when executed by the at least oneprocessor, control: receiving data representing information defining aplurality of RF usage rights, the plurality of RF usage rightscomprising at least (1) a first RF usage right defining (i) at least afirst geographical area and (ii) a first RF frequency range and (2) asecond RF usage right defining at least (i) a second geographical areadifferent from the first geographical area and (ii) a second RFfrequency range different from the first RF frequency range;communicating, to computing devices of respective bidders on theelectronic exchange, the data representing the plurality of RF usagerights to be offered for sale on the electronic exchange; receiving datarepresenting at least one bid to purchase the first RF usage right by afirst bidder from a first computing device of the computing devices;transacting an electronic trade in which the first RF usage right ispurchased through the first computing device; transmitting electronicindicia of ownership of the first RF usage right to the first computingdevice; providing data representing information about the electronictrade to the computing devices; receiving notification that a preemptionentity is exercising its right to preempt use of the first RF frequencyrange; responsive to receiving the notification, stopping communicationvia the first RF frequency range by a plurality of wirelesscommunication devices configured to communicate via the first RFfrequency range, in which the stopping communication via the first RFfrequency range comprises causing to be transmitted to the wirelesscommunication devices an instruction to stop communicating via the firstRF frequency range and to start communicating on another RF frequencyrange without causing disruption of communication and to continuecommunicating on the another RF frequency range until receipt of asubsequent instruction to resume communicating on the first RF frequencyrange; determining a path-loss calculation associated with RF frequencyranges of the plurality of the RF usage rights; and providing datarepresenting information about the path-loss calculation to thecomputing devices.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, in which theinstructions, when executed by the at least one processor, control:determining usage data based on usage of at least one third RF frequencyrange; and determining targeted advertisements based on the usage data.19. The apparatus of claim 17, in which the at least one third RFfrequency range does not overlap the first RF frequency range.
 20. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium to store instructions forfacilitating an electronic exchange of RF usage rights, in which theinstructions, when executed by a processor, control: receiving datarepresenting information defining a plurality of RF usage rights, theplurality of RF usage rights comprising at least (1) a first RF usageright defining (i) at least a first geographical area and (ii) a firstRF frequency range and (2) a second RF usage right defining at least (i)a second geographical area different from the first geographical areaand (ii) a second RF frequency range different from the first RFfrequency range; communicating, to computing devices of respectivebidders on the electronic exchange, the data representing the pluralityof RF usage rights to be offered for sale on the electronic exchange;receiving data representing at least one bid to purchase the first RFusage right by a first bidder from a first computing device of thecomputing devices; transacting an electronic trade in which the first RFusage right is purchased through the first computing device;transmitting electronic indicia of ownership of the first RF usage rightto the first computing device; providing data representing informationabout the electronic trade to the computing devices; receivingnotification that a preemption entity is exercising its right to preemptuse of the first RF frequency range; responsive to receiving thenotification, stopping communication via the first RF frequency range bya plurality of wireless communication devices configured to communicatevia the first RF frequency range, in which the stopping communicationvia the first RF frequency range comprises causing to be transmitted tothe wireless communication devices an instruction to stop communicatingvia the first RF frequency range and to start communicating on anotherRF frequency range without causing disruption of communication and tocontinue communicating on the another RF frequency range until receiptof a subsequent instruction to resume communicating on the first RFfrequency range; determining a path-loss calculation associated with RFfrequency ranges of the plurality of the RF usage rights; and providingdata representing information about the path-loss calculation to thecomputing devices.
 21. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, inwhich the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor,control: determining usage data based on usage of at least one RFfrequency range; and determining targeted advertisements based on theusage data.